The Rev Dr William Dodd, born 1729 commited forgery and was hanged in 1777. He was nicknamed The -------- Parson. What 8 letter word is denoted by the dash?

McGruff

Dodd was nicknamed the Macaroni Parson, however, I've not been able to find the reason why. Feb 16 02, 3:41 PM

Demios

He was so nicknamed 'The Macaroni Parson' from his expensive habits and rich living. The adjective 'Macaroni' derives from the 'Macaroni Club' - a club instituted in London about1760 by a set of flashy men who had travelled in Italy and introduced the so called new-fangled Italian food, macaroni, to London's gambling club 'Almack's'. The macaronis as they became known had expensive habits and were fond of rich living but they were vicous and insolent fops, into duelling, gambling and heavy drinking. They were despised by society. This is an extract from 'Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable' Hope it explains it. Feb 17 02, 8:05 AM